Roby?

[Misanthrope]

How's he looking so far this year? Guy had big wraps on him last year, but I've not heard a great deal so far in 2010.

If he's not doing well, which #9's are standing out this season?

 

[Evil Homer]

He's going pretty well. Been playing a lot of 13 with Saints also having Cunningham and Scott Moore, but he doesn't seem to be any better or worse than before. He's always been a bit of a limited player to be honest, he has explosive strength and speed but he's never looked like the kind of bloke that will stand up and lead a team around like a Cameron Smith. Maybe he will develop this a bit more when Cunningham retires next year, I think he's been held back a bit being stuck behind him for so long. To be honest St Helens have been a bit under the radar this season, they have only featured on TV twice so far and lost both games. I guess all the hype would have been about Eastmond though if they had been shown more.

As for other 9's, Shaun Lunt is going really well at Huddersfield, so is Luke Robinson who has been playing there recently too. Michael Monaghan is showing some decent form for Warrington as well.

 

[The Clan]

Roby's played at 13 as well as 9 this year, he's gone OK but has'nt hit the form he showed about 3 years ago.

IMO the guy needs a fresh challenge and a stint in the NRL would be great for him. He also needs to get away from Mick Potters poor coaching before what could have been a streer career is stagnated forever.

As for other hookers, the stand out has been Sean Lunt at Huddersfield who looks every inch the modern day rake. He has a lot of the Cam Smith about him including a decent kicking game. McIllorum at Wigan has also upped his standards this year and has benefited from McGuires coaching and Diskins gone OK in an otherwise underperforming Leeds team.

 

[The Clan]

x2 post

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

I had very very high hopes for Roby a while ago. Its a shame he hasnt kicked on. I dont think a stint in the NRL would help greatly. He needs to be given ownership of the hooker role and with Cunningham sticking around for so long, it definatly hasnt helped Roby learn more about the role.

St Helens loyalty to Cunningham is great and all, but its been damaging to Roby. Crusaders should of made a play for Cunningham last year and Saints should have let him go. My opinion anyway, im very big on player development.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

I had very very high hopes for Roby a while ago. Its a shame he hasnt kicked on. I dont think a stint in the NRL would help greatly. He needs to be given ownership of the hooker role and with Cunningham sticking around for so long, it definatly hasnt helped Roby learn more about the role.

St Helens loyalty to Cunningham is great and all, but its been damaging to Roby. Crusaders should of made a play for Cunningham last year and Saints should have let him go. My opinion anyway, im very big on player development.

 

[roughyedspud]

saints were'nt going to let cunningham go while they were casting a bronze statue of him..lol

 

[JasonE]

I actually think Roby has been pretty good so far this season, probably not back to his best but not far off either.

 

[roughyedspud]

but he's not been player hooker either

 

[Tipster]

This is Cunningham's last year right?

 

[roughyedspud]

hopefully

 

[JasonE]

Outstanding v Leeds, if he keeps up this form it will be hard to leave him out of the England side v France.

 

[roughyedspud]

i don't think theres any doubt he'll be in the england team

 

[The Clan]

i don't think theres any doubt he'll be in the england team

Well Lunt is out for at least two months through injury so thats possibly one of Roby's competition out of the running